Interior illumination system and method for a motor vehicle
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling at least one interior illumination device of a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:
- retrieving information related to an ambient light level;
determining a rate of change of the ambient light level;
altering an illumination characteristic of at least one illuminated component based on the rate of change of the ambient light level;
determining an initial ambient light level and comparing the initial ambient light level to at least one predetermined light limit,wherein the illumination characteristic is changed if the rate of change is less than a predetermined rate of change and if the initial ambient light level is greater than the predetermined light limit;
retrieving vehicle speed information related to a speed of the motor vehicle;
providing a signal to the interior illumination device based on the vehicle speed information; and
wherein the vehicle speed information is used to alter the condition of the interior illumination device.
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Abstract
A system and method for providing interior illumination in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The system and method include provisions for adjusting the interior lighting conditions to improve visibility of the illuminated objects under different ambient lighting conditions. In some cases, the system and method can also include provisions that adjust interior lighting conditions quickly if sudden changes in ambient light are detected, to prevent flicker and/or to provide a continuously variable or continuously relative dimming.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for controlling at least one interior illumination device of a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:
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retrieving information related to an ambient light level; determining a rate of change of the ambient light level; altering an illumination characteristic of at least one illuminated component based on the rate of change of the ambient light level; determining an initial ambient light level and comparing the initial ambient light level to at least one predetermined light limit, wherein the illumination characteristic is changed if the rate of change is less than a predetermined rate of change and if the initial ambient light level is greater than the predetermined light limit; retrieving vehicle speed information related to a speed of the motor vehicle; providing a signal to the interior illumination device based on the vehicle speed information; and wherein the vehicle speed information is used to alter the condition of the interior illumination device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling an interior illumination system of a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:
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retrieving information related to an ambient light level; determining a rate of change of the ambient light level; altering an illumination characteristic of at least one illuminated component based on the rate of change of the ambient light level; and determining an initial ambient light level and comparing the initial ambient light level to at least one predetermined light limit, wherein the illumination characteristic is changed if the rate of change is less than a predetermined rate of change and if the initial ambient light level is greater than the predetermined light limit. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method for controlling an interior illumination system of a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:
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retrieving information related to an ambient light level; determining a rate of change of the ambient light level; altering an illumination characteristic of at least one illuminated component based on the rate of change of the ambient light level; and determining an initial ambient light level and comparing the initial ambient light level to at least one predetermined light limit, wherein the illumination characteristic is changed if the rate of change is greater than a predetermined rate of change and if the initial ambient light level is less than the predetermined light limit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification